Wood River Launches Exterior Renovation Grant Program For Homeowners

Wood River City Council Meeting

WOOD RIVER – Wood River residents looking to make exterior home improvements may be eligible for new grants from the city.

Wood River City Council members unanimously approved an ordinance on June 15, 2026 to establish an Exterior Renovation Program to encourage city-wide homeowners to make various property improvements.

City Manager Steve Palen said the matching grant program will help offset the costs for property owners to repair and replace siding, fascia, roofing, and more. The ordinance lists several other eligible items, including exterior paint, foundations, porches, stairs, walls, doors, windows, and ADA accessibility upgrades.

Grants will be offered to eligible homeowners making repairs to deteriorated single-family residential units, according to the ordinance. These funds will be used to reimburse the homeowners, either for payments made to contractors or for materials purchased to make the improvements. Reimbursements will only occur after the approved project has been completed and inspected.

The city will offer up to $5,000 in matching funds for each applicant, with grant amounts based on income level. Homeowners earning 30% or less of the Median Area Income will be reimbursed for 80% of the project costs up to the $5,000 maximum; homeowners earning over 80% of the Median Area Income will only reimbursed for 20% of eligible repair costs.

Palen said the grant program has been “a little while in the making” after looking at similar programs in other nearby communities. He said a total of $50,000 has been budgeted for the program this year.

A full recording of the June 15, 2026 Wood River City Council meeting is available at the top of this story or on Riverbender.com/video.

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